Getting help with fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is the most reported unmet need be people affected by cancer, leading to poorer mental health, lower quality of life, and greater healthcare use.
Fear of cancer recurrence can emerge in almost any survivorship conversation, and cancer nurses are often well placed to recognise when concerns are beginning to affect a person’s wellbeing. A new free eLearning module provides practical guidance to help clinicians identify, assess and respond to fear of recurrence as part of routine cancer care.
Caring for someone with advanced or terminal cancer can be overwhelming for families. CarerHelp is offering a series of free, nurse-led online sessions to support carers as illness progresses, through end of life, and into bereavement. These sessions are a valuable resource cancer nurses can confidently recommend to patients and families to reinforce education, preparation, and emotional support beyond the clinical setting.
It is well established that people diagnosed with cancer often experience poor mental health, yet there are still inequities in access to appropriate care and support. This study set out to explore perceptions and experiences of mental health support, including facilitators and barriers, among people with cancer to help inform national cancer policy development in Australia. CNSA's Policy Officer, Dr Clare Lynex, is the lead author of this interesting and relevant piece of research.
